The effects of various cultural factors on the secretion of three pectic enzymes (PP, PG and PE) byAlternaria tenuis on synthetic media were studied. The results can be summarised as follow:
1. No definite correlation between the secretion of pectic enzymes, pH of the medium and the growth of the fungus was observed.
2. The secretion of the enzyme was dependent on the presence of pectin in the medium.
3. While various sugars were found to be equally effective, production of the enzymes was better on a medium without any sugar.
4. After varying the various concentrations and constituents of the medium, the following medium was found to be the best for the enzyme secretion: 1% pectin, 0.2% asparagine, 0.05% magnesium sulphate and 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate.
5. It was established that on the above medium the fungus required four days of incubation at 25°C for the secretion of most active pectic enzymes.

Substances inhibiting local infection with virus X were isolated from leaves of potato cultivars Saphir, Saco, and Blaník by means of ultracentifugation and were concentrated with ammonium sulphate. These inhibitors were effective if rubbed into leaves of some host plants at least 2-4 days prior to infection without using any abrasives.

The calculation and construction of a simple nomogram to be used instead of a set of two equations in a two-wavelength spectrophotometric determination of chlorophyllsa, b, their total amount and ratio is are described. Any pair of equations can be represented nomographically by this construction.

In unseren Versuchen haben wir die Wirkung der 3 isomeren Styrylpyridine und des bekannten Herbizidstoffes 3-Amino-1,2,4-triazols (AT) in der Konzentration 10^-3 m auf die Succinat-dehydrogenase und Succinoxydase-aktivität der Wurzel vonSinapis alba untersucht. Styrylpyridine hommten das SDH-Enzymsystem vollständig, falls sie zum Pflanzenhomogenat noch vor der Messung der Aktivität hinzugefügt wurden. Diese Stoffe zeigten die gleiche Hemmwirkung wie Malonat. In den Versuchen, wo die Pflanzen direkt in den Versuchslösungen kultiviert wurden, zeigte sich 3-Styrylpyridin als das wirksamste; weniger wirksam war 4-Styrylpyridin und am wenigsten wirkte 2-Styrylpyridin. Die gleiche Abstufung der Wirksamkeit lieferten auch die Wachstumsteste und die Untersuchungen der SO-Aktivität. Die Succinoxydase-aktivität war nur wenig beeinflust, falls die Substanzen dem Pflanzenhomogenat beigefügt wurden. Bei den Pflanzen, die in den Versuchslösungen kultiviert wurden, zeigte sich die gleiche Abstufung der Hemmwirkung der SO-Aktivität wie bei dem SDH-System. AT beeinflusste das SO-Enzymsystem überhaupt nicht und das SDH-Enzymsystem wurde im Gegenteil noch stimuliert.

In experiments with fodder cabbage and sugar beet the influences were tested which restrict the finding of a uniform linear dependence between the chlorophyll content and photosynthetic rate. The main factor is most probably the irradiation during the growth of plants and the measuring of photosynthetic rate. Changes in the density and length of irradiation with the proceeding spring season are reflected in the decrease of unit chlorophyll activity in all leaves of the plant. Such differences were not observed in plants grown in winter months at a low greenhouse irradiation density. High irradiation density during the measurement of photosynthesis ensures the finding of high correlation of photosynthetic rate with the chlorophyll amount per unit area of leaf. With a low irradiation density, or in thick leaves, the lower layers of chloroplasts are not saturated with radiation, and hence a higher correlation coefficient is found by relating photosynthetic rate to the percentage of chlorophyll in dry weight than to the quantity of chlorophyll per unit area of leaf blade. In some experiments higher activity of chlorophylls was found in young leaves before they have reached the state of "photosynthetic maturity" than after this turning point. This difference diminished by relating the photosynthetic rate to chlorophylla content instead of the total amount of chlorophylls (a+b). High activity of chlorophylls in very young leaves and great individual variability within the experimental plant groups caused by uneven cultivation conditions are the basis of apparent sigmoid character of average curves for the chlorophyll-photosynthesis relation.

Comparison with the findings in the cells of other plants and animals showed that the endoplasmic reticulum in the root apex ofFagopyrum has the same general character and function as in other biological objects, i.e. in secretory processes and especially in this case in the transport of the substances produced. Detailed studies of the morphology and activity of the endoplasmic reticulum showed some functional differences which are characteristic for this object. The endoplasmic reticulum participates apparently in the transport of the mass of known but functionally and nomenclatorically controversial formations which here are called dense bodies. Dense bodies exist inFagopyrum in a considerable amount as compared to other objects. Frequent contact of the dense bodies with the ends of the endoplasmic reticulum, contact with the endoplasmic retieulum passing through the plasmodesm, accumulation of the dense bodies along the cell wall and in proximal distance of the plasmodesms and intensive staining of some plasmodesms was observed. The dense vacuoles in this object represent dilated spaces of the endoplasmic reticulum which apparently have the function of reservoirs of the dense mass. The endoplasmic reticulum in the calyptra cells appears to participate in the formation of the cell walls. This object differs hereby from others, where the participation of the Golgi apparatus has been observed in this function.

Stimulation and inhibition of photosynthesis inHydrilla verticillata Presl. with quinine sulphate and quinine alkaloid with concentrations ranging between 0.001 and 100 ppm was observed. Quantitative measurements of photosynthesis were done by a microburette (Audus 1940) and qualitative estimations by the modified apparatus byZutshi (1965a). Maximum inhibition of 50% and 34% is obtained with 100 ppm of quinine sulphate and quinine alkaloid respectively. The inhibition is due to the adverse effect on the pigment system particularly on carotene (Zutshi 1963). Forty percent stimulation of photosynthesis is obtained with 0.01 ppm quinine sulphate and 12.5% with 0.001 ppm quinine alkaloid. Difference in the biological activity of these two alkaloids is due to their different chemical structure and purity.

Mycelium of white-rot fungi secretes laccase into the medium. It was found by cultivation on malt-agar plates that the mycelium does not produce laccase equally in all its parts. The youngest hyphae at the margins of the colony represent usually the maximum producers, whereas older hyphae produce less or none at all. An exception here isCollybia velutipes which is the weakest producer of laccase of all the fungi studied and where only the older hyphae begin to secrete it. Manometric estimation of laccase showed that maximum specific activity of laccase is achieved at the boundary between the phases of initial and linear growth and i₁₁ some cases during the first half of linear growth. Ageing of the mycelium characterized by certain changes in its metabolism is reflected in changes of enzyme production by fungal hypha of different age.

The inhibitor of the X virus (Jermoljev, Albrechtová 1965) can be separated from other proteins by 60 min centrifugation at 40000 r.p.m. in the Spinco L centrifuge and by subsequent gel filtration of the supernatant on a Sephadex G-50 column. For the elution it is best to use Tris-maleate buffers and 0.2M Tris-HCl of pH 7.2. The inhibitor is present in the first fractions containing proteins, between 30 and 45 ml. It is most suitable to concentrate the inhibitor by salting out with ammonium sulphate to 30-50% saturation. The inhibitor can be preserved by adding ammonium sulphate to the sap. At 3°C it can be kept in this manner for 2 months. If the pH of the sap drops below 5.5, the inhibitor is inactivated. Complete inactivation of the inhibitor takes place after a 10 min heating at 67.5°C. No substantial difference in the amount of inhibitor in the sap from apical leaves and leaves from middle levels has been found. Keeping the plants in the dark has no effect on the inhibitor level.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurde die Wirkung einiger Inhibitoren der Glykolyse und der Atmung auf den Zuckerabbau und den Gehalt an Gärungsprodukten in Vegetationskegeln von Weizenpflanzen (Triticum aestivum, cultivar Chlumecká 12) in 3 verschiedenen Etappen der Organogenese untersucht.
DNP und Azid hemmten in den verwendeten Konzentrationen den Zuckerabbau in allen untersuchten Etappen der Organogenese. Monojodessigsäure, Na-Fluorid und Malonat inhibierten diesen Prozess in der 3. und 4. Etappe, während sie ihn in der 2. Etappe beschleunigten. Der Gehalt an Gärungsprodukten verringerte sich unter dem Einfluss von DNP in allen untersuchten Etappen der Organogenese. Malonat beeinflusste den Gehalt an diesen Stoffen nicht und dasselbe gilt in der 3. und 4. Etappe für Azid. In der 3. und 4. Etappe bewirkte Azid manchmal eine Steigerung des Gehaltes an Gärungsprodukten und Monojodessigsäure und NaF ein Absinken desselben in der 2. Etappe.
Die Ergebnisse werden mit Rücksicht auf die mögliche Erklärung der Wirkung der einzelnen Inhibitoren diskutiert. Die meisten Inhibitoren beeinflussten die Vegetationskegel in der 2. Etappe der Organogenese anders als in der 3. und 4. Etappe. Dies stimmt mit früheren Befunden überein, die zeigten, dass in Vegetationskegeln in der 3. Etappe der Organogenese die aerobe Gärung durch die aerobe Oxydasenatmung ersetzt wird.

1. Teucrium Scorodonia L., plante vivace et caulescente, doit être placèe à 3°C pendant 8 semaines au moins, pour être vernalisé.
L'induction et l'initiation florales ont lieu en jours longs.
2. Chez cette plante, l'état vernalisé est instable dans les bourgeons axillaires ainsi que dans le bourgeon terminal qui peut être dévernalisé, même après une réfrigération complètement vernalisante, par des photopériodes courtes ou par des températures élevées (35°C).
D'autre part, la dévernalisation des bourgeons axillaires consécutive à l'inhibition de la croissance de ces bourgeons par la dominance apicale, est un mécanisme naturel assurant la pérennité de la plante.

After the decapitation and amputation of one cotyledon in germinating pea seedlings, the axillary bud of the amputated cotyledon always grows and the growth of the axillary bud of the remaining cotyledon is inhibited. Before morphological differences appear between the axillary bud of the amputated and preserved cotyledon, a higher endogenous gibberellin content can be demonstrated chromatographically in the axillary bud of the amputated cotyledon. This indicates that the increased growth of the axillary bud of the amputated cotyledon is in connection with an earlier increase in the activation of endogenous gibberellins.

Using the time-lapse cinematography technique, activity of the growing centres of the pea seed hypocotyl (Pisum sativum L.) was followed in the course of the early phases between 15 and 60 hours of germination under standard experimental conditions. The resulting data were plotted in a summary graph with conjugates scales (Fig. 4) indicating time-space limits for further biochemical analysis and the interpretation of mechanism of hypocotyl elongation concerning the dependence of the IAA and RNA content, growth rate, localization of growing zones, transport of substances from the swollen cotyledons into the embryo etc. The most important results are as follows: Between 15 and 20 hours of seed swelling, activity is manifested in two growing centres of the hypocotyl (Fig. 5); between 30 and 36 hours only one zone becomes localized, with a maximum elongation in the region which was originally at a distance of 2.5 mm. from the hypocotyl base. The greatest elongation of the hypocotyl-0.77 mm./hour- was observed between 30 and 48 hours in the zone which was originally at a distance of 2.75 mm. from the hypocotyl base. The zone of maximum growth did not become localized by the termination of the experiment (60 hours) in the presumed zone close to the apex, but was displaced further to the zone which was originally at a distance of 4.0 mm. from the hypocotyl base.

The transmission of carrot mosaic virus (CMV) by the crude sap to 11 varieties of plants from 4 families was demonstrated. From these plants the virus could be transferred back to a healthy carrot cultivated from the seed in isolation. The incubation time required for the appearance of the symptoms of CMV was 7-20 days. The plants on which mosaic or spot symptoms appeared on the leaves after transfer by the sap at temperatures below 15°C remains habitually healthy after the transfer of virus at higher temperatures.
The results of the mechanical inoculation of CMV by the crude infectious sap to young carrots cultivated from seeds differentiated this virus fromApium virus 1, which after mechanical inoculation causes chlorosis of the youngest carrot leaves in contrast to CMV. A further differentiation of CMV fromApium virus 1 is shown by the fact that CMV can be transferred only to the familyDaucaceae. It differs in this fromApium virus 1 which is transferred exclusively to this family (Köhler, Klinkowski 1954). CMV is differentiated fromCucumis virus 1/Doolittle Smith by some different host plants.

The amount of energy dissipated in the form of heat in the metabolic processes carried on during the initial period of the germination of wheat seeds was determined directy by means of an adiabatic microcalorimeter. The total energy simultaneously liberated in the respiration of the investigated seeds was calculated from the carbon-dioxide production. The proportion of total energy released in respiration to the amount of energy dissipated as heat indicates that about 5 per cent of respiratory energy is retained in the tissues of growing seedlings. The percentual rate of energy dissipated is not dependent on the temperature or the age of seedlings.

The purpose of this paper is to compare some results achieved in the enzymatic decay of beech wood meal and holocelulose affected by mycelium-free culture filtrate of wood destroying fungusSchizophyllum commune. The fungus had been obtained from the Institute of Plant Physiology, J. E. Purkyně University, Brno.

The relationship of the membrane structure, designated in electron microscopy as the Golgi apparatus, to the classic Golgi apparatus in the light microscope were studied withFagopyrum. Comparison of these structures in plant cells with the same or similar structures in animal cells led to the following conclusions: there exist two groups of formations, impregnable with osmium or silver, considered as the classic Golgi apparatus. The first group contains the active membrane structures. These are the dictyosomes and the anastomosing form of the electron microscopic Golgi apparatus. To this group belongs also the endoplasmatic reticulum, which in plant cells forms dense vacuoles, having the appearance of the classic Golgi apparatus, and in animal cells occasionally has a similar arrangement as the anastomosing form of the Golgi apparatus. The second group comprises formation containing reserve and secretion material, i.e. predominantly products of the activity of the electron microscopic Golgi apparatus and of the endoplasmic reticulum (matter of the dense vacuoles, lipochondria, secretory granula etc.).
In the plant cells, especially ofFygopyrum, the dictyosomes contained in the structures of the first group are separated from the formations of a reserve character in the second group, formed in the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (dense vacuoles). The identity of the dictyosomes with the osmiophilic platelets, considered by some authors in the light microscope as the classic Golgi apparatus, has not been proved up to present, because of the one-sidedness of the methods used nowadays. WithFagopyrum no foundation has been observed for the assumed formation of net-form structures by grouping of the dictyosomes. Structures similar to the net-form of the classic Golgi apparatus in the animal cell form only dense vacuoles.
On the basis of the differentiation of both types of formations in the plant cell, the foundations were laid for the characterization of the classic Golgi apparatus in the animal cell. The net-form of the classic Golgi apparatus in the animal cell is obviously not artificial, but reflects the ultrastructural arrangement of the electron microscopic Golgi apparatus or of the endoplasmic reticulum.
The problem of the suitability and specification of the name Golgi apparatus in the animal and plant cell was also discussed. In contrast to the opinion of some authors, it does not appear useful to remove the name golgi apparatus, designating the dictyosomes and the anastomosing forms of the smooth membranes.

Experiments with sunflower and fodder cabbage showed that reversion of the leaf disks lower side upwards (towards the radiation source) decreased the photosynthetic rate by as much as 26% both at full (2. 10⁵ erg. cm^-2. sec.^-1) and half density of irradiation. On placing two disks one on another the photosynthetic rate was decreased in the upper disk in a similar way as it was on reversion even if it were placed in the normal position (upper side upwards). But assimilation in the lower disk was only a fraction (0-40%) of that of the upper disk and in thick leaves was within the limits of the compensation point. The sum of the increase in dry weight in both disks due to photosynthesis exceeds the increment in one normally placed disk only in thin leaves and at high density of radiation. On the basis of the differences found it is advised to discard experimental samples where a quarter of the disks were reversed during exposure. On evaluating samples in which some of the disks were duplicated in error, it is most accurate to deduct the weight of one control disk from the weight obtained. The decrease in photosynthetic rate found in reversed and duplicated disks is evidently due to the simultaneous effect of differences in the supply of CO₂ and radiation energy to the assimilating tissue and apparatus and also to differences in the photosynthetic capacity of different leaf tissues.

In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird die Einwirkung der Humusstoffe durch Besprühen der Zuskerrübenblätter untersucht. Gleichzeitig ist auch die Eignung der Kombination von Humusstoffen und Minerallösung bei der Blattdüngung überprüft worden. Die Versuchsergebnisse lassen sich folgendermassen zusammenfassen: Die Blattdüngung mit Humusstoffen, insbesondere in Kombination mit Mineralnährstoffen beeinflusst das Wachstum der Zuckerrübe günstig. Das Gewicht der Rübenblätter und der Wurzel, sowie der Zuckergehalt werden erhöht. Bei den in Wasserkultur gezogenen und mit einer Nährlösung von vollständigerer Zusammensetzung der Mineralstoffe besprühten Pflanzen ist die Wirksamkeit des Besprühens grösser, als bei den Vergleichsversuchen, deren Pflanzen in Sand mit Nährlösung kultiviert wurden. Bei einer Anwendung am Blatte rufen die Humusstoffe ähnliche Veränderungen des anatomischen Baues der Gewebe und der Organe hervor wie nach ihrer Zugabe in die Nährlösung zu den Wurzeln. Die Humusstoffe, insbesondere in Kombination mit einer Minerallösung erhöhen den Chlorophyllgehalt und die Intensität der Photosynthese in den Zuckerrübenblättern. Die Blattdüngung mit Humusstoffen erhöht gleichzeitig auch die Transpiration der Zuckerrübe.

When the epicotyl and one cotyledon is cut off from pea seedlings, only the axillary of the amputated cotyledon is known to grow. When³²P is applied to the roots of such plants, then a higher radioactivity appears in the axillary of the amputated cotyledon already 24 hrs. after amputation of one cotyledon, although this axillary is of the same size at this time as that of the remaining cotyledon. This fact indicates a more extensive material transport to the axillary bud of the amputated cotyledon already during the first day after amputation
The effect of individual regulators on the³²P transport was investigated in an experiment where pea seedlings cultivated in the dark were decapitated and a 0.5% paste, containing the regulatory compounds was placed either on the cutting surface in the apical part of the epicotyl stump or in its central part. After a week the plant roots were supplied with³²P and its transport to the upper part of the epicotyl stump was followed. This transport increased about 10-fold in the case of a paste, containing indolyl acetic acid, when the paste was spread on the apical cutting surface of the stump. However, the transport was inhibited when the paste was applied in the central part of the stump. These results indicate that only the transport of³²P towards the paste with indolyl acetic acid is accelerated, whereas it is decelerated above this paste. A paste, containing triodobenzoic acid inhibited³²P transport only when applied to the apical cutting surface of the epicotyl stump and not when spread over the middle part. In this case³²P transport was more rapid above the paste than towards the paste. The situation was similar in the case of gibberellin and kinetin.

It was observed that the polyploids ofTrigonella foenum-graecum produced by seed treatment with 0.2% colchicine died after two cotyledonary stage, while the ones produced by seedling treatment survived. The root and shoot of seed treated plants were found to be mixoploids. The root tips exhibited 2n to 12n chromosomes and with the passage of time there is a regular decrease in the frequency of cells with lower chromosomes. The frequency of dividing cells decreases considerably towards the end of the 6th day due to the highploidy of most of the ploid plants. In case of seedling treatment the first formed tissue was mixoploid of high level similar to that of seed treated ones but in some cases the growing tip reverted to low level of ploidy which lead to more or less normal growth.
Since the difference in the constitution of seed and seedling treated plants lies in their root system, it has been suggested that probably highploidy of root system in the former may be responsible for the 100% mortality of plants.

Die vorgelegte Arbeit befasst sich mit der gegenseitigen Beziehung zwischen Roggen und Hanf in Wasserkultur bei ergänzter Mineralernährung. Nach 24tägiger Kultivierung wurden keine beweiskräftigen Unterschiede des Wachstums der Kontrollpflanzen und der Mischkultur gefunden. Beweiskräftige Unterschiede wurden jedoch in der H₂PO₄-Ionensorption bei Anwendung des Radioisotops³²P festgestellt. Beeinflusst wurde auch der Wasserbedarf der Pflanzen in der Mischung. Die festgestellten Unterschiede wurden durch die Wirkung von spezifischen Stoffen in den Wurzelausscheidungen der beteiligten Pflanzen erklärt.

The exposure ofTaraxacum officinale L. at flowering time to a weak magnetic field resulted in (1) retarded opening and the closing of the inflorescence, (2) wilting and death after prolonged exposure. Controls were unchanged. Plants exposed to the effect of magnetic fields were degenerated in subsequent year.

Experiments with isolated wheat roots and with intact wheat plants showed that glutamic acid decarboxylase from the roots takes part in the transformation of substance in the medium and that its activity is influenced by the medium. Glutamic acid decarboxylase is thus a factor taking part in the formation of substances excreted by the plants roots.

The rather equal development of the two cotyledons determines the bilateral symmetry in the pea seedling, just as their unilateral position results in the dorsiventrality of the epicotyl and root. The morphogenic manifestation of the symmetry relations conditioned, in the first place, by a different distribution of auxin out of the cotyledons may be enhanced by means of exogenous growth regulators, particularly IAA, GA₃, and TIBA.